The National Olive Variety Assessment (NOVA) project was setup in 1998 to provide a resource for research into the olive industry in Australia.
At that time there was some uncertainty about the identity of different olive varieties available in Australia, and this led to some misidentification of trees that were being planted.
One of the first research tasks carried out on the NOVA collection was to start to genetically identify trees and remove this confusion about varieties.
A number of different research projects were conducted at the NOVA site between 1999 and 2005 and reports on this research can be read by clicking on the buttons below.
Unfortunately, interest in the site gradually waned as the initial researchers moved on to other projects.
Olives SA (OSA) and the University of Adelaide have decided to rejuvenate the site and bring it back to a state where it can again be used as a research resource for the Australian olive industry. The site will also be used by the University of Adelaide as a resource for students undertaking their course in Horticultural Production and Quality.
The site is unique in Australia and is one of the few large collections of different olive varieties in the world. As such it has the potential to make a major contribution to the development of the olive industry in Australia.
Olives SA is holding a series of working bees to rejuvenate the site. If you would like to be involved please contact the OSA President by clicking here.
Click below to read the reports on research already conducted at the NOVA site.
